We got great news today, but that does deserve its own post, doesn't it :3
For the poll about the strongest weapons, Clau's Thunderclap and Funikura won with 20v-22% and 15v-17%. After that, there was a tie between Catt's Giant Slayer and Aldra's Secret Cleaver with 12v-13%, another tie between the Celestial Saber and Leina's oft-overlooked Evindil with 8v-9%, then finally Tomoe's Kuchinawa, Setra and Risty's Iron Lover with 6v-6%, 5v-5% and 1v-1%.
Hm, no surprise in the top spots, but I didn't expect Risty's to rank so low. Maybe despite its destructive power, it's just an ordinary weapon after all...?
Next poll, let's have a bit more fun with Catt, this time starring Rana~ (suggested by The Spooky Scary Overlord, he's on a roll)
And for the story this time, Fio unveils a... um... problematic talent...?
Enjoy!
Customers had seemingly gathered in one corner of the shop, abuzz with excitement.
[Someone spreading tales of their travels? A troubadour, perhaps?]
The crowd was easy enough to spot even from outside.
“That old pile of bones is probably still taking its time…”
The masked woman took a quick look around before quietly entering the store the moment she saw no one was paying attention. Upon opening the door, the well-projected voice of a girl describing her origins--with a heavy dose of drama--hit her ears.
The story seemed like the most interesting thing going on in the store at the time. With every customer’s attention grabbed by it, no one gave her any mind at all-- even with the eye-catching costume she was currently wearing.
Well, except for the shopkeeper, that is. The second she walked in, he spotted her and then proceeded to quickly shuffle by her side before anyone else noticed.
“Welcome to Logan’s Inn, what can I get for you?”
“An inconspicuous seat and some high quality booze.”
Logan silently turned his gaze towards the counter, where he’d hidden away a small viewing station in case of fights. From there, she’d easily be able to watch the inside of the store without any risk of being spotted by the rest of his patrons.
“It’ll cost you extra though.”
The masked woman responded by wordlessly placing money on the table. Or rather, a snake came slithering out from within the cuffs of her uniform, opened its jaw and placed a gold coin down.
Logan smiled, seeing the snake.
“So many years, and yet you’re still just as bad with disguises.”
“Bite me.”
The woman grinned behind her mask.
“Thank you for your business.”
Their business transaction settled, he gestured towards the counter.
Understanding that the owner would appreciate her slipping behind before anyone else noticed, she quickly made her move without producing a single sound. Like the wind.
“Everytime I see you move, I can’t help but be amazed. Great stuff you got there.”
He praised the masked woman on her footwork.
“Ever consider quitting the mercenary business and becoming a thief?”
“Tried it, got tired after three days.”
“Oh for pity’s… fickle as ever.”
“So Logan, what do you know about our guests tonight?”
Now safely hidden away behind the counter, the woman made small talk.
“The Exiled Warrior, Leina. She fought off a skeleton swordsman earlier this evening, protecting some kid.”
“I knew that much. Saw it from the roof on the other side of the street.”
“Well then, in that case I don’t have to tell you the rest, do I?”
“Let’s see…”
The masked woman took a casual look around the store until she noticed someone in clothing just as inconspicuous as hers within the crowd surrounding Leina.
“Tomoe? In a place like this?”
The other woman’s identity was easy enough to tell just from the outfit she was wearing… Women walking around in full Hinomoto priestess garb weren’t exactly a dime a dozen in this city after all.
Her snake began wriggling around restlessly within the confines of the outfit she was wearing.
“Now, now, calm down. You just can’t get enough of that girl’s touch, can you?”
Whispering to the snake, the masked woman turned her attention towards Tomoe’s actions.
***
Still blushing from the kiss she’d received within full view of their audience, Leina couldn’t help but nod at Fio’s words.
[Wait a moment. If it transfers wounds, then Fio should be feeling every wound I was still suffering from up until now…]
Being a warrior, Leina could continue pressing her body despite all its aches and pains, but to any normal person, the strain alone would easily be enough to shackle them to bed for two or three days.
[She looks fine enough however, strange…]
“Fio, aren’t you in pain?”
The dancer’s lips curved into a small smile at the warrior’s question, and so she leaned in and answered back in a soft voice, barely loud enough for Leina to hear:
“You’ve never slept with a man before, have you, Leina?”
“Whuh!?”
Caught off guard by Fio’s surprise attack, the blonde let out a scream in surprise.
“No need to be shocked. A woman should always value their chastity after all.”
“H-h-h-h…”
Still overwhelmed, the fighter was at a loss for words.
“You want to know how I could tell?”
The Vance heiress nodded.
“If I use my ability on a virgin, then nothing gets transferred and it’ll only cure wounds. And when I kissed you, I felt no pain.”
Winking at the dismayed Leina, the other girl kept talking.
“This is how I heal others, by kissing them. And so, this ability caught the eye of the Necromancer who captured me so that I could revive her mistress.”
She suddenly shifted from the whispers she’d used with the warrior to a voice loud enough for the entire gallery to hear.
“Now consider this, what would happen were I to use this ability on someone who is already dead?”
“Err… that person revives, while you’d die?”
Leina answered, after giving it a moment’s thought.
[I somehow doubt it could have that dramatic an effect though.]
“Spot on. And that is exactly why I waited for my opportunity to sneak away from my guards, but then…”
“They sent a pursuer after you.”
“Although you defeated it, Leina, I have no doubt that *she* most likely has another one lined up already. In which case, I figured I’d run off before it could arrive.”
“All by yourself?”
“Staying with you would only end up causing you trouble, Leina.”
“If I minded trouble that much, then I probably wouldn’t have helped you out to begin with.”
The Vance girl answered decidedly, looking Fio right in the eyes.
“You asked for my help, so allow me to help you through to the end.”
“To the end?”
“Until I beat the one who’s after you, the necromancer.”
Fio’s origins might have been a lie, but the rest of her story was true enough--and while she couldn’t tell if this supposed necromancer really did exist or not, the fact the girl was being chased by a skeleton was good enough for Leina.
Fio’s life was in danger after all. And so, it was up to Leina to protect her.
[I should watch out for her habit of lying though.]
“You sure you won’t regret this?”
The child looked on at the blonde with a worried look, her eyes moist.
“I’d regret letting some fiend chase after a lone girl even more.”
Determined in her actions, Leina hugged the girl tightly.
“So don’t you worry, I’ll take care of that necromancer for you. I promise.”
**********
I kinda hope Leina gets a boyfriend at some point, it would be an interesting diversion from the original series.
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